Pen America chief resigns, accuses literary institution of erasing Palestinians

# Pen America Chief Resigns Over Palestinian Representation

Dinaw Mengestu, chief of Pen America, has resigned from his position at the literary organization. In his departure, Mengestu accused Pen America of erasing Palestinians and cited the organization's stance on boycotts as a central point of contention.

Mengestu objected specifically to Pen America's anti-BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) position. He argued that boycotts of Israeli creatives constitute a form of protected free speech, indicating disagreement with the organization's current policy on the matter.

The resignation marks a significant development for Pen America, a prominent literary institution that advocates for freedom of expression and writers' rights globally. The dispute reflects broader tensions within cultural and literary communities regarding Palestinian representation and the limits of free expression in relation to political activism and boycott movements.